Combined paper-weight and envelope-opener



(No Model.)

P. E. KNIGHT. GOMBINED-EAPEE WEIGHT AND ENVELOPE OPENER. No. 419,682. Patented Jan. 21,1890,

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FRED. E. KNIGHT, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

COMBINED PAPER-WEIGHT AND ENVELOPE-OPENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 419,682, dated January 21, 1890. Application filed April 15, 1889. Serial No. 307,220. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED. E. KNIGHT, a citizen of theUnited States, and a resident of the city and county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, have invented a new an d useful Oombined Paper-Vveight and Envelope-Opener, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is by combining a suitable paper-weight with a new device for opening envelopes to produce a serviceable article which, being used as a paperweight, will always be found at hand in sight on the desk convenient for use as an envelope-opener. I accomplish this purpose by employing a weight, a cutter, and a guide, (or guides,) their nature being set forth and described in the following description and accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation. Fig. 2 is a plan; Figs. 3 and 4,another elevation and plan showing slight modifications in detail, but which in no wise alter the general idea, the working of the device, or the results obtained.

A is the weight, having the cutter B, held fast in suitable proximity to the guides O O, which serve the double purpose of a guide to the envelope and a protection to the cuttingedge, and the rotary guides (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) by their rotary action tend to throw out any small pieces or litter that might otherwise accumulate to obstruct its perfect operation as a letter-opener.

In operation the point of the cutter is inserted at the ungummed portion of the flap between it and the body of the envelope. The envelope is then drawn "completely through along the guides, as shown by broken. lines in Fig. 2, the cutting-edge of B doing the necessary work of opening the envelope.

The precise size and shape of the weight A as a weight is immaterial, and the same is true of the guides and cutter, andl reserve the right to employ any suit-able forms which may be designed for use in this connection.

The cutter B is made of the best steel, tempered to hold a cutting-edge, and by means of a screw or a pin is fastened firmly to A opposite the grooves in the guides C O. The S-shaped cutter (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) has both inner edges nearest the guides sharpened, so that the envelope may be drawn through on either side of the weight no matter which side is presented to the user.

The guides C C are either pinned or screwed to A, and preferably left free to revolve; or, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4., the weight itself may be so constructed that a portion of its body forms the necessary grooved or recessed guide to direct the envelope against the cutting-edge and protect the cutter.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A combined paper-weight and envelopeopener consisting of a suitable weight A, a cutter B, and a guide or guides O O, which direct the envelope against the cutting-edge to be opened, as shown.

2. A combined paper-weight and envelopeopener which separates the flap and body of envelopes at the fold, as shown, by means of the knife-edged cutter, and which serves the double purpose indicated, as fully set forth and described.

FRED. E. KNIGHT.

Witnesses:

W. F. COLE, H. P. DAVIS. 

